[Vision2020] Health District HIV Gossip?

[Shelly]

Ted,

I don't think the majority of us that have worked so hard this past week,
appreciate your subject line. 

Again, how would you have liked the situation handled?

-------------------------------------

"I agree with Saundra that there are disturbing signs of abandonment of the
principle of innocent till proven guilty in the Mubita HIV case.  But given
the fact that numerous cases of death row inmates being proven innocent,
after they were found guilty in a court and sentenced to death, are on
record in the USA, should anyone be surprised?"
Yeah, but are these death row inmates carrying a loaded gun? Any of them
found innocent because of a blood test? One person can lie. Chances of 20,
30, 40, etc. usually not. 

"Vision2020 is going far beyond insisting on public safety in the
discussions on Mubita's alleged conduct."
So you tell me how else you would "educate" the public on a "possibility"
they could "maybe" be an HIV carrier? I know! Let's wait to see if Mubita is
convicted then put the word out? This is serious. Example: a terrorist just
poisoned our water supply. Let's wait till he is convicted before we tell
anybody not to drink the water???

"Those who are concerned about encouraging testing for HIV might consider
the impact of on those who are afraid to get tested of what seems like an
attempt to try and convict Mubita on Vision2020.  Would someone want a
positive HIV test to result in those who may have sexually contacted HIV
from them coming forward to file legal charges, resulting in their lives and
conduct dissected on a public list serve?  Yes, sharing a needle is a more
certain method of transferring the HIV virus than sexual relations in some
cases, so anyone who finds out they are HIV positive who uses IV drugs has
this possible legal ramification regarding allegations of knowingly engaging
in conduct that can spread HIV."
I cannot believe you would say that anyone on this list would "dissect" an
individual for a positive HIV reading. There is nothing but compassion from
this list. This list is not about crucifying (well this thread at least) an
individual for doing "the right thing." Nobody wants any names. The Health
District wants a better control of the HIV tree. That is their job.  

"The prosecutorial "climate" on Vision2020 does not encourage people coming
forward to be HIV tested."
You are wrong! Knowledge is power. You can't do anything about it if you don
t know it exists.

"Concerning this comment by Shelley below, something is wrong if the Health
District is releasing information to the public of any kind regarding who is
or is not being HIV tested at what time according to any criteria that might
identify or embarrass the individuals involved.  These tests should be
conducted with complete anonymity, with no information of any kind being
made public or otherwise disseminated to any gossip circles regarding any
criteria used to dictate who is tested or when they are tested."
I don't think the Health Department would "release" any information
regarding "who" is being tested. These tests are very confidential. There
are no "rumors" or "gossip circles" regarding the criteria on "who" is and
is not getting tested and when and why. Unless you are trying to start one
here. Getting tested is completely confidential with well trained counselors
to protect the individuals privacy. My statement below is not rumor or
gossip. It is fact!

This is a major disconnect for someone who ostensibly is attempting to
encourage HIV testing to post on Vision2020 that they know the order in
which the Health District is testing clients based on how high risk they are
claiming knowledge of who the clients had sexual relations with.  If it is
true that the local Health District was releasing ANY INFORMATION OF ANY
KIND outside that department regarding their testing of HIV clients (well,
accept the fact they do test for HIV), unless this involved law enforcement
or the courts, they need to change or enforce their polices ensuring total
anonymity for HIV testing.
Sorry Ted. No major disconnect. Only one persons "perception" of another.
That night and that night only they were testing high risk. 
I have stated nothing more than what is public knowledge.
HIV testing is very much confidential. Total anonymity. It is up to the
individual what they want to do with their test results. Not yours. Not mine


Again, how would you have liked the situation handled?

Shelley Roderick

 
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